Zhanshan Temple (Zhanshan Si)

Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on the other side, the Zhanshan Temple (Zhanshan Si) is situated in the eastern section of Qingdao City. It is the only temple in downtown Qingdao and also the newest one in China. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery and the vast sea, the scenic area is a superb place for sightseeing in urban Qingdao.

The temple consists of three courts. The buildings, covered with black tiles and constructed with gray bricks, are all built in the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The west court contains a memorial hall and some lesser Buddhist structures, while the east court contains dining rooms and is the home of the aged monks. The main buildings - the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Grand Hall, the Hall of the Three Saints and the sutra depository - are concentrated in the middle court.

Visitors entering the front of the temple pass by a pool. A statue of Kwan-yin made of white jade stands in the water surrounded by lotuses. Walking round the pool and ascending the steps, tourists see a mountain gate with two mighty stone lions lying on both sides. The exquisite stone lions are relics of a prince’s mansion from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Characters of imposing grandeur were left on the plaques of the mountain gate by the first abbot of the temple.

Inside the temple, the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Grand Hall, the Hall of the Three Saints and the sutra depository are arrayed magnificently along the central axis. The Hall of Heavenly Kings is enshrined with statues of the Maitreya Buddha and the four Heavenly Kings. A graceful bell tower and a drum tower stand on the sides of the hall. The central building, the Grand Hall, stands tall and high on a granite platform. Sculptures of Sakyamuni and other arhats stand in the resplendent hall which is full of Buddhist objects. Passing by the garden-like patio, visitors can find the Hall of the Three Saints where the three saints of Buddhism are worshiped. The extraordinary sutra depository lies in the north end of the temple and contains a collection of thousands of Buddhist sutras.

The enchanting scenery at the temple attracts many tourists throughout the year, and it is especially busy on April 8th of the Chinese Lunar calendar when the temple fair is held. Visitors to the temple in autumn, get a marvelous view of red leaves, ancient pines, smooth sea and shining moon.

Travel tips:1. The opening hours between the Chinese New Year’s Eve and the 15th day of the first lunar month are from 08:00 to 16:00.2. There is an evening party on the 27th day or 28th day of the last lunar month, and the definite time is to be determined.